“Three Days with God” Men’s Camp
September 19-21, 2003

Forgiven Ministry has been privileged to host two camps at Lake Hickory for female inmates. September 19-21, 2003 was our first male inmate camp and the only time that children have been brought in with their parents. As far as we know, this is a first in the State of North Carolina.

Ten men and 14 children, ranging from age 7 to 13, were chosen by Caldwell Correctional Center to attend the camp. I then had the job of contacting parents, grandparents and/or guardians to get their approval for the children to attend. This took a lot of work, but it was worth it . What an awesome God we serve! I then needed the help of Forgiven Ministry volunteers to pick up the children at designated locations in Hickory, Statesville and Taylorsville. It all came off “without a hitch” and there were some happy dads and children.

On Friday, the first day of camp, the volunteers arrived for prayer and orientation around 10AM. By 1PM, prison staff arrived with the dads, greeted in the parking lot by all volunteers. A light lunch followed in the dining hall. By 2PM rooms were assigned, the men unpacked and volunteers assisted in showing our guests around the grounds. From 2:30-4:30PM there was class time in the chapel. “Great Dad’s – God’s Way” was taught by two wonderful volunteers from the Great Dad’s organization. There was then time for outdoor fun and games with inmates and their assigned volunteers. It was a time to get acquainted and learn trust and teamwork. In one outdoor activity, pieces of cut PVC pipe was given to the guests and volunteers and they had to move a marble in one direction, without letting it roll back, until it dropped into a cup. The task was made harder as the pipe, even when put together, did not reach the cup. It was fun watching the men at the head of the line, running to the end of the line to keep the marble going. It took about 10 attempts but through teamwork, the task was finally accomplished. The other activity taught trust. The guests had to close their eyes and be led through a maze by the volunteers. The guests were inside the rope, which was wrapped around trees and volunteers were outside the area. The volunteers could only offer support if someone was about to run into a tree or another guest. The camp activity volunteer kept telling the men, “If you need help, raise your hand and help will come to you.” The men were so intent on finding the exit, it took a long time for many to ask for help. When they finally did, the activity director whispered in their ear, “I am the exit.” When they opened their eyes, they found out the entrance had been closed and the only way they could get out was ask for help. Isn’t that just like God? HE is the DOOR! Ask, and it shall be opened unto you. At 5:45PM a steak dinner was served in the dining hall. Praise and worship followed in the chapel, along with completion of “Great Dad’s” class time and certificates being given out by the instructors. Before retiring for bed, we had sharing time down by the lake around a big bonfire. Marshmallows were roasted and the men enjoyed making “smores”. For those of you who may not have been privileged to enjoy that childhood memory, it is melted marshmallows and a piece of Hershey’s chocolate candy put between two graham crackers. The night ended with devotions and the father’s wrapping birthday presents for their children, who would arrive the following day. Personal cards were written by the fathers and attached to the gifts with much love.

If you thought day one was a full day, there was no time for rest on day two. Everyone was up by 7AM and breakfast was served at 7:45AM. Praise and worship followed in the chapel and the children arrived at 10AM. I wish we had room to download all the photos that were taken but believe me, there were tears of joy when the father’s anticipation was made a reality. The day before the men and children were Expecting Great Things. Today, they were Experiencing Great Things. Dads greeted the children with hugs and bags of “goodies” that said, “Smile, Jesus loves you!” Afterwards, fathers walking arm in arm with their children went to the dining hall for snacks and then room assignments. Fathers, sons and a few volunteers played towel volleyball in the gym and then some enjoyed shooting baskets. Before lunch, the Wittenburg Fire Department brought in two fire trucks, which was enjoyed by all. The children were allowed to climb into the trucks, lights flashing, and blow the horns and sirens. The fire department volunteers also let them try on gear, and then run through the water, which was shot off the tops of the trucks.

Around 1:30PM the children went to the gym for crafts where they made rainbow hangers that said “God Keeps His Promises” and WWJD (What Would Jesus Do) key chains to take home or give to their dads. While the children were enjoying craft time, the fathers were back in the chapel for more class time. A study was begun by Stephen Powell from Winston-Salem. Stephen taught from Rick Warren’s book, “The Purpose Driven Life”.

After crafts for the children and Bible study for the fathers, families were reunited for what I have learned was one of the highlights of the retreat: pontoon rides and the father/son fishing trip on Lake Hickory. Fishing license were purchased in advance and believe me, we got our monies worth in all the smiles. It took three pontoon boats to take everyone out. Connie tells me on the boat she was on, every child, with the help of their dad, caught a fish. Memories were made and fun was had by all.
continued in right column...

View a slideshow of photos taken at the
THREE DAYS WITH GOD MEN'S CAMP

continued from left column...
After cleanup, Providence Baptist Church in Hickory hosted a cookout (hamburgers and hotdogs). After dinner, we held the Birthday Party, where the children opened their gifts, wrapped by the fathers the day before and a big birthday cake was served. Church youth also brought in bags they had made up for the children and the Gideons presented New Testaments to each father and child.

Before dark, fathers, sons, and a few lucky volunteers got to enjoy a hayride. The excitement did not end there. Everyone then returned to the gym where a very famous gospel group, The Singing Echoes, entertained through song. Two other local singers, Lori Marshall and Jeff Fairchild blessed us with song. Clowns were brought in to amuse the crowd and a full size movie screen was set up so we could show the movie, The Climb. This was complete with popcorn and drinks.

Before retiring to bed, chips and dip was offered by the dining hall and then the volunteers escorted the fathers and sons back to the cabin where devotions were held and the fathers had an opportunity to read a bedtime story to their children. A Max Lucado book entitled “You Are Special” had been given to the father’s the day before so they could write a special message in it to their children. This is the book that was read to the children and then presented to them to take home.

The two daughters who attended the camp were to go home before bedtime but God also worked that out. One of the volunteers and his wife, Wes and Polly Bolick, were kind enough to take the girls home with them to spend the night, after obtaining permission from their guardians.

The final day, fathers helped their children pack their personal items before coming to breakfast. Praise, worship and testimonies followed in the chapel for the fathers, while the children had class time in the gym. Stephen Powell finished teaching and copies of the book “The Purpose Driven Life” were given to each father. Other literature was donated by individual volunteers and/or Forgiven Ministry, such as copies of The Prayer of Jabez by Bruce Wilkinson and My Utmost For His Highest by Oswald Chambers. Connie and I shared out testimonies with the children. Connie speaking from the heart of an ex-offender told the children they were not to blame for the decisions their fathers had made. Their fathers were incarcerated because of poor choices they had made and with disobedience comes punishment. But, she also told them with repentance, comes forgiveness. I spoke as the child of an inmate . . .how I felt growing up, visiting my father in prison. One of the children spoke up and said, “Thank you for inviting us to this camp. I have felt more comfortable here than I do when visiting my father in prison.” That one comment would have made the entire camp worth while but there were many positive things said and witnessed. Relationships were restored and wounds were healed.

Around 10:30AM the fathers and children were again joined together and they spent quiet time in God’s creation, without a volunteer. This was time for them to talk one on one. After that special “bonding time” fathers, children and volunteers joined together for worship in the chapel where Bud Holcombe led praise and worship and Chaplain Joey Miller preached. A forgiveness ceremony was held. Each father and child was given a rock they could lay on the altar. That rock represented anything they were holding on to, such as bitterness or unforgiveness. The fathers were also given a piece of paper to write specific prayer requests on. This was private and did not have to be shared out loud. They then took those pieces of paper and put them in a bucket of water that had red food coloring in it. This represented the blood of Jesus. Tears flowed, lives were rededicated and souls saved.

Lunch followed (lasagna and salad) and then we witnessed the highlight of the weekend before the children departed. Three fathers were baptized in the swimming pool, with happy children and volunteers being witness. One son also made a profession of faith but was not baptized at camp. Communion followed by the pool, administered by Pastor Elliott Osowitt, who had also helped Rev. Mark Marshall with the baptism.

Yes, it was sad when the children drove off but they were going home with good memories of quality time spent with their dads. The fathers departed after the children left and the volunteers cleaned up and thanked God for having the opportunity to be a small part in God’s plan.

We have already starting receiving thank you notes from spouses, inmates and children. As they arrive, we will add them to the site.

(P.S. A special thanks to Prison Fellowship who financed the children’s portion of the camp. They split the cost with Forgiven Ministry, who covered the fathers stay. Volunteers, thank you for covering your own costs.)

©2003 Forgiven Ministry, Inc. - All Rights Reserved.
Upcoming Events . Changed Lives . Ministry Programs/Partners . Ministry Needs . Kid's Korner
Scottie's Journal . The Story of Forgiven Ministry . Contact Us
Visit our webpage in Alexander County Online
Design & Hosting